JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: I’m in upstate New York with my sister, clearing out our dad’s house because he’s moving to a rather posh senior living facility. We’ve got boxes to take to Goodwill, clothing to pack, floors to vacuum and calls to make to the plumber, cleaning lady, Realtor, and that all-important institution: A Couple of Guys With A Truck. So let’s not dilly-dally, but instead check off our lists with a Fast Five for Fall
My favorite drink for fall is… Hard cider. I know there are people who think this is a winter or even Christmas drink, but they are wrong.
Must-have yard/porch/door fall decoration? I always get several of those flattened pumpkins and stack them in the big urns beside my front steps. This year, my must-get-rid-of decoration is the yard work/ landscaping/ carpentry project workshop the Guest Son set up on the porch. The man-cave look is getting old.
On the first really chilly fall morning, I… breathe deeply with pleasure. Then I groan, because I know it means I need to start stacking the wood in the woodshed.
Fallen leaves: ecological blessing or menace to civilization? Menace in the front (where the neighbors can see,) blessing in the back. It also helps that there are a lot fewer leaves behind the house. Last year I tried doing that thing where you don’t rake, instead you mow over the leaves creating a “natural mulch.” This project did not go well.
The absolutely best part of fall is… all the highly anticipated books coming out between September and December! Fall is the BIG season for publishing, and my TBR list is growing faster than the leaf pile. (A lot faster…)
JENN MCKINLAY: That’s quite the to do list, Julia. I am currently traveling with the hooligans in New England, helping our fam get ready for winter. So lot’s of cleaning gutters, stacking firewood, and raking leaves. But we also made time to visit the local apple orchard because of course we did!
My favorite drink for fall is...Harry and David’s Spiced Butter Rum Coffee. Hot. Always hot. Even when it’s 115 in the AZ desert my coffee is served hot.
Must-have yard/porch/door fall decoration? My autumn leaves wreath. I do go all out for Halloween with tons of lights and spooky stuff but it starts with the colorful autumn wreath.
On the first really chilly fall morning, I...burrow under my covers and sleep in -- because I can. Now that my people all drive themselves hither and yon, I can sleep until everyone is out of the house and peace reigns. It’s lovely.
Fallen leaves: ecological blessing or menace to civilization? I don’t have any trees that drop their leaves since I’m a desert girl nowadays. But when I’m visiting the northeast, I’m reminded that there is nothing as beautiful as New England in October.
The absolutely best part of fall is...the desert heat goes away. By the time October arrives, I am so over the heat. I can’t even tell you. I get giddy on the first week that the daily high drops back into the 80’s and I need a sweater.
RHYS BOWEN: favorite drink for fall is...absolutely nothing pumpkin spice! I do enjoy a hot chocolate on the first chilly evening.
Must-have yard/porch/door fall decoration?
This year it doesn’t even seem worth decorating as there will be no trick and treaters. I usually carve a pumpkin but I’m not into decorating like my daughter who has decor for every season.
On the first really chilly fall morning, I… Wish it was still summer!
Fallen leaves: ecological blessing or menace to civilization?
We don’t get them in California much and whatever falls from my trees the deer eat instantly.
The absolutely best part of fall is…
Confession time, I’m not a big fan of fall as it means winter is coming. Usually we drive to Arizona around this time but probably not this year.
But what I look forward to is seeing Arizona friends and family.
HALLIE EPHRON: My favorite drink for fall is… Hot chai tea. Unsweetened. I start to crave it the minute I need to put on a sweater.
Must-have yard/porch/door fall decoration? We used to prop up a scarecrow on the front steps. Made him by stuffing my husband’s clothing with leaves and painting a face on a stuffed pillow.
On the first really chilly fall morning, I… Turn on the heat! Then hunker down on the couch under a heavy blanket with a cup of hot coffee and the Boston Globe.
Fallen leaves: ecological blessing or menace to civilization? For heavens sake, what would we do without them?
The absolutely best part of fall is... Brisk walks. Sunsets. Sunrises late enough to enjoy.
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: My favorite drink for fall is… Oh, chai lattes. Sigh. I will never have one of those until I can go back to Starbucks. Sigh again. So I’ll just stick with red wine.
Must-have yard/porch/door fall decoration? Yeah, no, I’ve never done that...is that weird?
On the first really chilly fall morning, I...am so happy to get a big sweater!
Fallen leaves: ecological blessing or menace to civilization? Our house is surrounded by blazing colors--the maples are so beautiful! I remember when we were little, and my father used to burn them. It smelled so transportingly wonderful.(That’s a bygone era, right?) I love the leaves.
The absolutely best part of fall is...I don’t have to explain why I don’t love to go swimming. And sweaters, and boots, and big shawls.
DEBORAH CROMBIE: Julia, I don't envy you all those chores. But I'll bet you're having fun with your sister!
My favorite drink for fall is… I drink hot tea and hot lattes all year, no matter the temp outside. But, like Julia, I love hard cider and never think of it until that first crisp day. And I start thinking a glass of red wine sounds good, which it does not in Texas summer!
Must-have yard/porch/door fall decoration? Pumpkins! Although so far this year I've only bought two. My favorite new thing for this year for the porch is an ornamental pepper plant in those gorgeous autumn colors. I love it!
On the first really chilly fall morning, I… put on a warm hoodie and take two very excited German shepherds for a long walk! The dogs love fall weather even more than I do!
Fallen leaves: ecological blessing or menace to civilization? I worry that we are doing damage to our little ecosystem by cleaning up the leaves. But we do, because...dog poop. When the leaf fall is heaviest, we have to flag the lovely deposits asap or we can't find them by the end of the day.
The absolutely best part of fall is… I love absolutely everything, but the very, very best part is NOT BEING HOT.
LUCY BURDETTE: My favorite drink for fall is… English breakfast tea with a big spoonful of honey...mango honey if I can get it
Must-have yard/porch/door fall decoration? We had some darling little pumpkin gourds volunteer in the compost heap. That’s it for me and decorations!
On the first really chilly fall morning, I...walk the puppy to get the paper, what else? Explaining to her along the way that this will be her job when she gets older.
Fallen leaves: ecological blessing or menace to civilization? Compost them and they are definitely a blessing!
The absolutely best part of fall is...Soups and stews and baked things, this weekend I’m going to try cinnamon scones.
JULIA: It’s your turn now, dear readers! Cut and paste the questions below and share your Fall fast Five in the comments!
My favorite drink for fall is...
Must-have yard/ porch/ door fall decoration?
On the first really chilly fall morning, I...
Fallen leaves: ecological blessing or menace to civilization?
The absolutely best part of fall is...
My favorite drink for fall is . . . the same as winter, spring, and summer: coffee
ReplyDeleteMust-have yard/ porch/ door fall decoration? We have a few cute stuffed pumpkins that make it to the living room and the dining room but unless some of the grandchildren are coming, we don’t do much in the way of decorating. We don’t get trick-or-treaters, either, so . . . .
On the first really chilly fall morning . . . I snuggle into a comfy sweater.
Fallen leaves: ecological blessing or menace to civilization? Generally ignored; most of the trees around us are pines.
The absolutely best part of fall is . . . making soup and snuggling up under the cozy blanket with a book.
My favorite drink for fall is any of the fall-ish hot coffee drinks except pumpkin spice. And Starbucks does a killer job with corona protection, so I go there with no qualms.
ReplyDeleteI don't do decorations, although I al always tempted by the beautiful fall wreaths I see on some of my neighbors' doors...
On the first really chilly fall morning I break out a hoodie and leggings and my fuzzy slippers!
Fall leaves - I love them, except when it's time to clean them off the patio. But it's a tiny patio, so it's not so bad.
The absolutely best part of fall is ... besides finally not wilting from the heat and humidity, it's that glorious golden light that makes everything glow all day long.
My favorite drink for fall is... Like Joan, it’s coffe year round.
ReplyDeleteMust-have yard/ porch/ door fall decoration? I’m not big on outside fall decorations, but inside I go a little crazy with the Halloween decorations, which usually go up the end of September. I’ve posted pics on my FB page.
On the first really chilly fall morning, I... get a throw blanket and snuggle into my chair with coffee and a book, staying in my jammies the whole morning.
Fallen leaves: ecological blessing or menace to civilization? I don’t mind the fallen leaves at all. They just make a beautiful blanket of fall on the ground. It does help that we have a lawn service that rakes our leaves.
The absolutely best part of fall is... so many things. The beautiful variegated leaves, the cool crisp air, making chili and vegetable soup again, and reading with a blanket covering me.
I am operating on my phone, so I'm not going to cut and paste anything. I don't drink anything special, but I'm glad I have some red wine buddies here. I don't decorate. I love when it's cool enough to start wearing my Indiana University red hoodie, which is my morning writing uniform half the year.
ReplyDeleteWe mow the leaves and put them in the compost or directly in the garden. And once I get over grieving The disappearance of summer produce, I love making soups and stews and baking bread again.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite drink for fall is... hot tea like the rest of the year. Plain old Irish or English Breakfast tea - decaffeinated - with milk.
Must-have yard/ porch/ door fall decoration? Just a pumpkin on the front step. And the leaves. (See below.)
On the first really chilly fall morning, I... love to get out the sweaters.
Fallen leaves: ecological blessing or menace to civilization? We leave them. After we run over the first batch with the last mow of the year they are there to stay under the snow ‘til spring.
The absolutely best part of fall is... the colors! Maine is gorgeous in autumn.
Marianne in Maine
I am laughing so hard! Is it time to argue over pumpkin spice? I am definitely in the NO P S group!
ReplyDeleteAnd let’s just take time to remember those summer days when we kept saying: it is so hot! It is so hot! That’s over for a little while, hooray..
I love these fast fives! Why is the jungle red the only place that seems normal?
No argument necessary for me: It's a definite and absolute NO to PS...LOL
DeleteSeconding Marianne's praise of fall colors. Here in New England we're in the midst of a severe drought and yet the trees are still putting on a lovely show. Hoping that Delta dumps a ton of rain on us, but for months storms have simply skirted Boston leaving us dry as tinder.
ReplyDeleteShalom Reds and fans.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite drink for fall is...I don’t drink alcohol anymore. It didn’t agree with me and it’s been 28 years since my last drink. In the past, I did like rum and eggnog. I love coffee but I got a major resentment when our local Starbucks wouldn’t serve except at the drive-in window leaving me to scramble to find coffee beans some other way. I ended up joining a coffee subscription plan. I now have 24 oz. of beans shipped to my house every month. The beans come from all around the world, with each month a different country. This October they are from Uganda. I haven’t opened the new packages yet, still having coffee from last month.
Must-have yard/ porch/ door fall decoration? I live in an apartment building and the landlord frowns on front door decorations. Some folks here insist on flouting the rules. But our door is pretty plain. I like flowers and I enjoy walking around the town and seeing what others have going on in their yards. My favorite is a Japanese chrysanthemum that is a perennial in this zone and sports daisy like white flowers with a yellow center. Our Acme sells cut flowers year round, so in the fall and winter, I like spending $5 or $10 for a bunch for a vase on my cluttered desk.
On the first really chilly fall morning, I…We’ve already had some sustained very cool nights. If it’s not too cold I like waking in the morning with the windows open and myself buried under 2 or three quilts.
Fallen leaves: ecological blessing or menace to civilization? In our little town, people rake their leaves to the curb and the borough comes around 2 or 3 times to vacuum them up, after which I presume they give or sell them to local soil vendors who compost them and make a fine leaf mulch which they sell in the spring to all the landscapers.
The absolutely best part of fall is...seeing the large yellow school buses traveling around the neighborhood. It reminds me that it is another year gone by and everything is new again and anything is possible. My birthday is in autumn; so, it is bittersweet to contemplate that I am a senior and no longer middle-aged. (This year, I am greatly looking forward to election day.)
favorite drink: hot apple cider from a local orchard
ReplyDeleteHalloween decoration: carved pumpkin, though my husband asks for a screaming coffin every year. I wrote a story about screaming coffins instead.
chilly mornings: brisk walk with the standard poodles
fallen leaves: I wish I could mulch them but alas, I'm married to a rake for a month. I detest leaf blowers with all my heart.
best part of fall: fall foliage and sweaters
My favorite drink for fall is... hmmmm, the hard cider sounds great, and our local Schutt's Apple Warehouse has started selling it. But that's not a trip for the weekend, not in this infectious climate. Maybe Monday. They also have, besides apples of course, the very best fry cakes in the free world. If you get there early enough, they are still warm, too.
ReplyDeleteMust-have yard/ porch/ door fall decoration? None. We don't plan to entertain trick or treaters this year, so no carved pumpkins, no fall wreaths, no lights on down stairs. Bah Humbug.
On the first really chilly fall morning, I... Trying to remember, because we've already had that first frost although today the Alexa is predicting a high of 76. I think I hauled our my winter robe and LLBean fleece lined slippers. And the various wooly throws are back out on the couch and chairs. We are ready for winter here.
Fallen leaves: ecological blessing or menace to civilization? The fall color is great this year. By the grace of god we are surrounded by maples and various other hardwoods, but the only trees in our garden are the dogwoods, not all that big and not hard to deal with, leafwise. Our lawn guy will take care of them, blowing them into the grass between the sidewalk and the street. Then the city comes along with nice guys and leaf blowers, moved everything onto the street. The city announces leaf days by neighborhoods, and the trick is to wait long enough to get all the leaves but beat the first snow. Its fun to watch the big leaf scoops and our tax dollars at work.
The absolutely best part of fall is... In a normal year we would be traveling about now. Last year it was to Dallas and Bouchercon. The year before Chester and Oxford. Next Friday and Saturday we will be attending a virtual Bouchercon, really looking forward to it. I think the best part of this fall will be surviving the election and Covid, if, indeed, we do. Got tested yesterday as both of us had been under the weather last week. NEGATIVE!!! One less thing to worry about.
Happy Hallowe'en to all, Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian friends ... I think it is long about now ... and happy isolating and testing everyone.
Thankful for your negative tests, Ann! xo from Canada...
DeleteMy favorite drink for fall is...Hot Chocolate - I have to try a chai latte but it will have to be from a box. Hank, I'm with you, red wine year round. Especially this year!
ReplyDeleteMust-have yard/ porch/ door fall decoration? Usually we put pumpkins on the front porch. Not this year though, it's our first year back and we didn't have time to put in the garden. Jenn, I love the leaf wreath. Did you make it? I'd love directions. We have a bumper crop of leaves.
On the first really chilly fall morning, I...fire up the woodstove in the living room and make something substantial for breakfast. It's fun to take the time.
Fallen leaves: ecological blessing or menace to civilization? ecological blessing. We have 167 acres. No way we're raking. They're lovely compost and I gather enough to put the front yard plants to bed for the winter.
The absolutely best part of fall is...the way the air smells when you first go outside and for a very brief time the magnificent blaze of color from the trees.
Oh wow: 167 acres?! That's a lotta leaves...
DeleteOnly 20 are cleared, the rest are woods. The first year we lived here I tried to keep the front and back of the house cleared - that's a total of about 5 acres. I quickly gave up and went for a natural look. We do mulch mow them, but as Julia pointed out - that is not too terribly effective.
DeleteIt's my dream to have land like that -- some to clear, some for wild, maybe a few trails...I'm going to enjoy yours vicariously, Kait!
DeleteI honestly wonder why I'm responding to this because I'm sure that I'm going to be the outlier in this post today.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any particular drink that I enjoy as the fall rolls around. I do know that I hate anything and everything to do with pumpkin spice. You people who have helped that parasite invade everything including the filling in Twinkies should be brought up on charges at the Hague.
I don't decorate. Technically I never have but when mom was alive I would be the one doing the stuff she wanted from changing the monthly flag on the post in the front yard to putting up the various decorations for lawn or walls. But I don't do anything like that anymore.
The first really chilly fall morning usually means I start wearing long pants instead of shorts. I always try to make it to November 1st before I have to wear long pants when I'm going to work or anywhere outside the house.
Fallen leaves? Let sleeping leaves lay is what I say. I don't bother to rake the things. I only have a small yard compared to others but since it is front and back, I'd have to book myself for shoulder surgery if I attempted to rake them.
The best part of fall? Well, the possibility of endless heat waves disappears so that's a good thing. Beyond that, I don't really know if there's anything particularly different for me. I'm a creature of habit and routine. Regardless of the time of year I'm pretty much going to be doing what I would normally do on a given day. I do look forward to that big Thanksgiving day meal (and the leftovers that come afterwards) but this year even that is probably messed up since I usually go to a neighbor's house for the meal and the pain in the ass that is the pandemic likely means my invite won't be happening this year.
Still, fall is better than summer. After all, you can always put on another layer of clothing. But there's only so much you can take off before it becomes a felony charge. LOL
My favorite drink for fall is... Hot tea, usually with a little honey. I try to drink it all year round, but it's just too hot in the summer. Hard cider is good, too.
ReplyDeleteMust-have yard/ porch/ door fall decoration? I don't do yard decor, but I have autumn asters blooming like crazy, and four of my rose bushes are working overtime to decorate my yard with beautiful blooms and fabulous scent.
On the first really chilly fall morning, I...Pull out my fleece hoodie and dance around in the back yard while the dogs do their business. On subsequent chilly mornings I try to take the dogs for walks around the neighborhood. Individually, I might add. I love my dogs, but I'm not crazy enough to take all four at once.
Fallen leaves: ecological blessing or menace to civilization? Ecological blessing! My yard guys mulch them into the grassy parts of my yard, and I sweep the ones that fall on my patio into the gardens as mulch and compost.
The absolutely best part of fall is... Cooler temperatures! Followed by my urge to cook better meals because of the cooler temperatures. Followed by all the really comfy flannel shirts, fleece hoodies, sweaters, and fabulous bathrobes I can wear in cooler temperatures. Also, the cats return to the bed at night to snuggle.
My favorite drink for fall is... hot apple cider with cinnamon. Sometimes with bourbon.
ReplyDeleteMust-have yard/ porch/ door fall decoration? A couple pots of mums, unless we are planning to have a Halloween party (every other year). And I usually buy a few mini gourds for the kitchen counter.
On the first really chilly fall morning, I... Find my coziest slippers, and swap out my cotton robe for a fleece one. Then I start bugging Steve about stacking firewood.
Fallen leaves: ecological blessing or menace to civilization? Steve chops them with the mower, which adds nutrients to the grass. We used to rake, and I used to clean out the flower beds in fall, but now that I know how many pollinators and other beneficial insects overwinter in leaf litter, I wait until spring for that chore.
The absolutely best part of fall is... It's the best season here in Cincinnati. Spring is beautiful, too, but I've always loved the crystalline blue skies of an Ohio fall, contrasting with the colorful leaves.
I like the idea of adding bourbon to your hot cider, Karen!
DeleteMy favorite drink for fall is... Cider! Hot or cold. Fresh and sweet, not hard. It's especially good with popcorn while watching The Great Pumpkin.
ReplyDeleteMust-have yard/ porch/ door fall decoration? The autumn wreath on my door and pumpkins (carved, if I have the energy).
On the first really chilly fall morning, I run outside to smell the leaves in the crisp air and do my happy dance because October is my favorite month. Seriously, if there were a way to replace hot, humid Michigan summers with months of October weather and colors, I would do it!
Fallen leaves: ecological blessing or menace to civilization? Bless, but now that we have a dog, I'm with Debs.
The absolutely best part of fall is... sweaters and boots.
Julia, I'm laughing at the photo you posted with my comment--dogs that are NOT German shepherds, lol! But I love the woman's red coat and and leafy road.
ReplyDeleteWe have had an exceptionally cool September and early October here in north Texas, but we have a bizarre heat spike tomorrow. Predicted high is 97! And then we'll be back to 80s/50s, which is lovely.
I thought the same thing when I saw that photo, Deb. So not the same visual (or knee) impact as your sweet dogs.
DeleteMango honey? Spiced buttered rum coffee? New to me, though they sound wonderful! Reminds me of when I visited Harper's Ferry in West Virginia and discovered apple butter!
ReplyDeleteFavorite drink? Love Pumpkin Spice. I cannot recall if I tried Pumpkin Spice Latte. Love Chai Tea. For me, hot chocolate with peppermint is Christmasy.
Fall decorations? Love seeing fall decor. When I visited a suburb of Chicago, I saw a lot of Autumn decor. Not as much here in California. Depending on where you are in CA, you may see fallen leaves. I remember walking on fallen leaves in Berkeley.
Among my favorite things about the fall is cooler weather and wearing sweaters. Love boots too. I still have my "Kate Middleton boots" that I bought years ago.
Diana
My favorite drink for fall is...hot tea with milk, as it always is. No matter the season or the weather, tea is it for me.
ReplyDeleteMust-have yard/ porch/ door fall decoration? zero. zip. none. No decorating here. #seasonalgrinch all year long
On the first really chilly fall morning, I...like to put a silk scarf around my neck, under my coat. Love that feel against my skin!
Fallen leaves: ecological blessing or menace to civilization? Eco blessing and a great mulch on my flower beds
The absolutely best part of fall is...the crisp air and the amazing colours on the trees
My favorite drink for fall is: hard cider OR mulled cider on a chilly day
ReplyDeleteMust-have yard/ porch/ door fall decoration? Not too much on outdoor decoration, but pumpkins - natural, painted or carved - seem to appear on our steep front steps. Has something to do with the cute little girls who live in the garden floor rental.
On the first really chilly fall morning, I say "Thank you!"
Fallen leaves: bane of my householder existence. Giant street tree overhangs our tiny front garden,making too much shade for summer flowers and dropping leaves until AT LEAST January. Covers the sidewalks, steps, and creates piles of wet mess all over. (Solution is an finding an energetic teen on the block who needs some spending money)
The absolutely best part of fall is: ...everything. Bright chilly days, increased energy, beauty in the parks and on road trips, planing spring bulbs, baking. Everything.
I’m out in the boonies with sometimes poor reception. Today is the first day since Wed I’ve been able to tune into the Reds.
ReplyDeleteDrink: Octoberfest beers and new young Beaujolais that arrives next month.
Nada for porch decorations.
First chilly morning? Shirt, sweatshirt and no bra!
We don’t have the leaf problem in our current home. Found out the hard way in Minnesota that those unraked leaves will kill the grass.
Best part of fall is cooler temps and layering. And once upon a time, travel.
new Beaujolais, yay!
DeleteMy favorite drink for fall is...hot cider, when I remember.
ReplyDeleteMust-have yard/ porch/ door fall decoration? My nephew will handle this.
On the first really chilly fall morning, I...Turn up the heat!
Fallen leaves: ecological blessing or menace to civilization? When I can mulch them, great, otherwise they're a menace simply because of the quantity.
The absolutely best part of fall is...No A/C and when Indian summer hits, the windows can be open!!
My favorite drink for fall is... strong, black coffee with a dollop of Bailey's Irish Cream.
ReplyDeleteMust-have yard/ porch/ door fall decoration? None this year, but in the past we've had pumpkins. Not carved.
On the first really chilly fall morning, I... rejoice, because it not hot, and rain should be coming soon.
Fallen leaves: ecological blessing or menace to civilization? Blessing. We slug bait, then let 'em fall, except for the small lawn, which gets the mow-to-grind-them-up treatment.
The absolutely best part of fall is... It's cool, but still often sunny and gorgeous. I don't mind the work putting the garden to bed, being outside is wonderful during the Fall.
Rick, you just reminded me of a favorite fall treat for me, an Irish Coffee or Bailey's Irish Coffee. Drinking the coffee through the whipped cream on top is so good. I usually get this treat when I go out to eat during the early days of fall, but since I'm not going out to eat now, that's going to be a treat I will miss.
DeleteOh, and Fall is time for homemade soups and stews. And for some reason, Fall makes me want to listen to big symphonies and piano concertos.
ReplyDeleteOne more thing: I'm amazed at so many saying they drive here and there, go so many places. We're supposed to be sheltering in place, people! Right?
Nohting says we can't drive around in our car and admire the scenery.
DeleteSorry, I'm a little late, flower arrangements to be made and chalice dressed for our second outdoor service - now it's wet outside, as in heavy mist/light rain in Sonoma County! :-)
ReplyDeleteFavorite fall drink: tea, orange herbal in the evening, on the weekend.
Must-have decoration: if I do any decorating for the season, it's generally inside. I use preserved leaves and wheat in bundles in among my ceramic pumpkins. In the past, Mom and I would go to a pumpkin patch for a variety of squashes, pumpkins and gourds for our homes and the reredos in church. I didn't go in 2017 because of the Tubbs Fire and just bring myself to go back yet.
On the first really chilly fall morning I would love to curl up under the covers for some extra sleep. But it normally happens on a workday, so I look for a long sleeve shirt and sweater.
Fallen leaves: In the yard, it was a job at my grandparents home on a Saturday when I was growing up. For my nieces and nephews it was a place to play at their grandparents before the maintenance staff would cart them off. Fallen leaves in a natural setting - Oh please, they are most necessary for the eco system.
The best thing about fall is being able to turn on the oven for roasts or meatloaf and being able to crochet blankets without dying from heat. It's a great way to keep warm and while creating presents for the holidays. I might actually get them finished this year.
My favorite drink for fall is hot apple cider, especially in the late afternoon.
ReplyDeleteMust-have yard/ porch/ door fall decoration? Pumpkins of course. I live with the 3 and 5 year-old grandsons, so every holiday is fun.
On the first really chilly fall morning when I lived in Ohio, I'd head to the local State Park and set up a lawn chair by the lake to take in the beautiful trees reflected on the water. Great for the soul.
Fallen leaves: ecological blessing or menace to civilization? One comment: Love to see them turn on the trees, and curse them as they fall and I have to rake them.
The absolutely best part of fall is the start of the baking season, as I call the last 3 months of the year. Quick breads, yeast breads and tons of holiday cookies. Love it.
Even later than late with just one of five: fallen leaves ecological blessing or menace to civilization? The menace to civilization is not the fallen leaves but the $#**!! Cursed leaf blowers roaring about spewing gas fumes, dust, and noise. And this year, probably COVID virus. Bah, hum bug. Let those leaves be raked, composted, or left to lie. Happy weekend, All.
ReplyDeleteFavorite fall drink: Chai latte. Front porch/yard? There's not one when you live in a high-rise. For years, I've decorated our common hallway with the best-looking pumpkin I could find, like Julia's flat orange ones. On the first chilly fall morning, I love to walk the trails in the city park across the street. (Actually, it's like a front yard for us, but luckily, it decorates itself.) Leaves? Yes! Especially from sweet gum trees. Best part of fall is the weather here in Texas, especially at the beach. Summer vacationers and families are usually gone, and it's easy to claim a stretch of beach and surf for your own.
ReplyDelete